Machine to assemble bolt flanges in hub shells and pierce eight rivet holes



Oct. 10, 1933. H. TORMYN ET AL MACHINE TO ASSEMBLE BOLT FLANGES IN HUB SHELLS AND PIERCE EIGHT RIVET HOLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 29, 1932 Snow um a mm Q. Q

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 174 1221427501; frail/5% ZZ Z'efhyf f ,WH OHM/"Mp Filed July 29, 1932 H. TORMYN ET AL MACHINE TO ASSEMBLE BOLT FLANGES" IN HUB SHELLS AND PIERCE EIGHT RIVE'I' HOLES Oct. 10, 1933.

Oct. 10, 1933. TQRMYN r AL 1,930,258

MACHINE "r0 ASSE E BOLT FLANGES IN HUB SHELLS AND PI CE EIGHT RIVET HOLES Filed July 29, 1932 5 sheets-$11861; 3

Oct. 10, 1933. H. TORMYN ET AL 1,930,258

MACHINE TO ASSEHBLE BOLT FLANGES IN HUB SHELLS AND PIERCE EIGHT RIVET HOLES Filed July 29 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 10, 1933. TOR N r 1,930,258

MACHINE TO A SSEMB BOLT F GES HUB SHELLS AND PIERCE HT RIVET H 5 Filed July 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 10, 1933 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE;

1,9so,25s Y f I 'MACHINE 'ro ASSEMBLE BOLT FLANGES m HUB SHELLS AND PIERCE HOLES men r nver Herman Tormyn and Frank F. Wiethoif, Detroit; Mich., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application July 29, 1932. Serial No. 625,995

' Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of wire wheels and has particular reference to a machine or die to assemble the bolt flange inside the hub shell and to pierce a, plurality of rivet 5 holes in the flange and shell. ,The machine or die of the present invention is one of a series of ten and in sequence of operation follows the die of our copending applicationyserial No. 625,994,"

filed July 29, 1932.

The die of the invention comprises a lower die shoe and a top shoe. The wheel hub with the bolt'fiange placed therein are positioned in the lower or die shoe and the top shoe caused to descend thereon firmly to press the bolt flange into the hub shelland to cause the operation of the punches to punch rivet holes in the assembled bolt flange and shell.

On the drawings: 1

Figure 1 is a front viewof the press with the die of the invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure ure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 6 showing the top shoe or die' on thelower die and showing the punches holes.

Figure 4 is a viewsimil'ar to Figure 3 but showing the top die separated from the die shoe.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 55 of Figure 3. Figure 6 is a plan view of the lower die shoe taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, with parts broken away and shown in section clearer to illustrate the structure.

Figure '7 is a perspective view of the ring acting as a retainer for the punch holders and as a seat for the punch holders and as a seat for'the wheel hub.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the element which guides the backing members for the punches. i

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the backing members for the punches.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the retaining blocks forming the pivotal bearing for the backing, members.

as having punched the rivet Referring to the drawings, the numeral 2 indi- I which drives a belt 8 which in turn drives a fiy- I wheel 10 rigidly mounted on the axle 12 which extends across the frame of the machine and at the opposite side has a gear wheel (not shown) of Figthe large gear 14 rigidly mounted on the shaft 16 having a crank 18 intermediate its ends. 'The crank 18 has'atta'ched thereto the connecting rod 20 which operates the crosshead .22 suitably fattached to the top shoe 24 of the die; Thelower' or die shoe is indicatedat 26 and a part thereof the slideholder 38 (Figures 3 and 4). This'structure gives a resilient orhydro-pneumatic mounting to the slide holder. I

A handle 40 operating a linkage'system- 42 operates a suitable clutch (not shown) which causes the small ,gear on the end of the shaft 12 to be engaged with the shaft and to rotate the gear 14. After one operation of the punch a suitable throw-out mechanism will throw the clutch out of engagement withthe gear. ,This mechanism is not shown but is conventional and well known in the art. A suitable brake drum is shown at 44 having brake shoes 46 operated from a suitable linkage '48.

The parts so far described are conventional and are well knownin the art of presses. I

Referring to Figures 3 and .4, the lower die shoe comprises the flat lower member 50 having openings 52 for the free passage. of the pressure pins 36 and a smaller conicalopening 54 to allow the slugs orpunched-out metal toffall to' the base of the machine. A second'annular. element 56 is secured to the lower member 50 by means of the machine bolts 58. Ears 60. at the side of the member 56 have rigidly mounted therein the guide bolts 62 which project upwardly' and away'from the die shoe 26' and slide in bearings 64 mountedinthe cars 66 of the top die member 24. Q

The upper member 56 of the lower ,die shoe 26 is formed with eight flat surfaces 68 atits inner periphery (see Figure 6) and against the flat peripheries there aresecured the cam members 70 and '72 functioning pairs and having the inner surfaces 74 inclinedfas is best shown, in Figures 3 and 4. The-cam members "70 and 72 are spaced at their adjacent edges, as slri'own in Figure 6, and have the'fianges'lfi extending toward-each other. As many pairs of these cam blocks '10 .-'and '72 are-used as it is desiredto.

held in place 'by a set screw (not shown).

bearing member 138.

punch holes in the shell and bolt flange. In the present instance eight of these pairs of blocks are used. 'Each cam block '70 or '72 is rigidly secured to the member 56 by means of the machine bolts 73. 1

Mounted to slide on the interior periphery of the member 56 of the die shoe is the annular tool holder slide 38. The slide 38 has a lower projecting flange or extension 82 which coopcrates with a shoulder 84 formed on the member 56 to limit the upward movement of the slide 38. The pressure pins 36 press'against the bottom of the slide 38 and constantly urge it upward to the position shown in Figure 4. Suitable openings 86 in the slide 38 accommodate guide pins 88 permanently mounted in the lower member 50 of the base and serve to guide the slide 38 in a definite position.

The upper end of the slide 38 is divided circumferentially into eight grooves 90 (Figure 6) and at. each groove there is slidable a punch holder 92. Each punch holder has a tongue 94 at its end and two rollers 96 are mounted on an axle 98 extending through the tongue. The rollers extend to the rear of the flanges '76 on the cam blocks '70-and '72 while finished shoulders 100 on the punch holders 92 cooperate with;

holder 38 and having grooves 112 in which fit the upper portion of the punch holders 92. The inner periphery of the retaining ring 110 is shaped as shown at 114 to receive the wheel hub shell 116. The interior end of each punch holder 92 has a punch 124 mounted therein and A passage 126 is provided to allow the insertion of a tool to knock out the punch.

The ring 110 has an inclined passage 118 in which there is held a coil spring 120 which urges a pin 122 into the surface at 114. The purpose of the pin is to locate the hub shell, the pin fitting into one ofthe short spoke openings.

..Below each punch holder 92 a passage 128 is formed in the punch holder slide 38. A coil spring 130 is held in each passage and pushes later described The punch holder slide as has its center bored as indicated at 134, and this bore is considerably enlarged at. the upper portion as indicated at 136. In the bore 136 there is mounted the bearing ring 138 secured to the punch holder slide .38 by means of the machine bolts 140. The upper portion of the bearing ring 138 has segmental portions 142 thereon from which the metal has been removed to give an inclined surface, as is best shown in Figure .3. surface 142 a passage 144 is provided which cooperates with passages 146 in the holder slide 38 the purpose of the inclined portions and passages being to allow the punched-out metal to fall'to the base of the'machine in case this piece of on top of the punched-out metal should fall The bearing ring 188 has the shoulder 148 which cooperates with a shoulder 150 on a guiding element 152 '(Figure'8), to holdthe guiding element rigidly in position. The guiding eleber.

Below each inclined be evenly positioned. The shape of the lower 'ing members -1'72'from the position shown in 160 have cooperating bearing surfaces indicated at 166 and 168, respectively, in which there is received the bearing portion 1'70 of a backing member 1'72 (Figure 9) which is of sufficient width to allow it easilyto slide between the tines 154 of the element 152. There are eight backing members 1'72 and each has a shoulder 1'74 which cooperates with the bearing block 160 to limit the inward movement of the backing mem- A tongue 176 on the outer side of the backing member 1'72 slides over the lip 1'78 formed on the bearing ring due to the machine portions 142 and acts as a guard for the bearing to prevent any chipped metal from getting into the bearing. In the swinging movement the tongue 1'76 will ride over the lip 1'78 and any foreign mat ter falling in the space between the backing members and the slide 38 will be diverted by the tongue 1'76 to the openings 144. The backing members 1'72 are constantly urged inwardly by the springs 130 pressing against the pins 132 as is clearly shown. in Figures 3 and 4.

r The upper portion of each backing member 1'72 has mounted thereinthe hardened wear member or die 180 which is hollow and which cooperates with the punches 124. When the machine is in operation the backing member 1'72 will be on one side of the hub shell and bolt flange while the punch 124 will be on the other so that when the punch 124 acts it will punch out the metal into the bore of the wear resisting member 180. Each vwear resisting member 180 is held in'position by a set screw (not shown). In back of each wear resisting member 180 the backing member 1'72 has the recess 186 which is tapered so that the punched-out piece of metal will fall 1 toward the center of the die and down through the bore 134, conical portion-54, to the base of the machine.

The bolt flange of the wheel hub is indicated at 188 and is placed in the shell 116 before the shell is positioned on the lower die 26.

The upper or top die 24 has'the head 190 movably secured thereon by means of the machine bolts 192 threaded into the head 190 and having the shanks slidable in openings 194 in the top die 24. The head 190 is spring pressed away from the top die'24 by means of a plurality of coil springs 196; preferably three in number, mounted in recesses in the top die 24 and'in the head 190. The springs- 196 rectify any inaccuracy in the positioning of the hub shell and flange in the die shoe for at times they may not ob i I and one at the opposite side.

2 24 are the fingers 204' pivoted between ears 206 on a bracket 208 secured to the top die 24. Coil springs 210 are positioned between the upper end 212 of the spring and the head while the downward end 214 hasa hook 216 thereon; As many of these fingers as desired may be used but in actual practice it has been found that three are suflicient, two closely together at one side The purpose of these fingers is to grip under the edge flange 218, as shown in Figure 4, when the top die descends so that it will raise the wheel hub and punched bolt flange when the head 24 rises. The springs 210 are of suflicient strength to press the fingers inwardly so that the top die 24 will carry the wheel hub shell upwardly therewith. shell may be removed by grasping it with the hand and pulling it from the machine; In its dotted line position in Figure 4, the finger 204 is a little out of position better to illustrate its structure and application.

Suitable spacers 220 are placed around the guide rods 62 and cooperate with the bearings 64 to limit the downward movement of the top die 24 relative to the lower die 26. The purpose of this limitation of movement is to prevent the movable head 190 and the retaining ring 110 from crushing the metal of the hub shell held therebetween. The cooperative interrelation and position of all of these parts is shown in Figure 3 and the arrangement or spacing is so fixed that the spacer'220 and bearing 64 will come in contact at a time to prevent the crushing action on the wheel hub between the movable head 190 and 4 the retaining ring 110.

A guard 221 is secured to the die shoe to prevent slugs and foreign matter getting to the working parts.

The operation of the die is as follows:

Referring to Figure 4 the position of the parts is shown before the top die or shoe is caused to" descend on the lower die shoe to cause the punches to operate. The hub shell 116 and bolt flange 188 are, of course placed in the lower or die'shoe 26. The operator then moves the handle 40 to cause the hub shell 116, or to the position shown in Figure 3. (2) The spreader cam 202 to contact with the inner edges of the backing members 172 to force them inwardly against theinner edge of the bolt flange 188 and pushing'the plungers 132 outwardly as shown in Figure 3. When the shank portion 200 of the spreader die 202 reaches the spreader members, they will be held in a definite position. pressed into the wheel hub the continued downward movement of the top shoe will be against 35 to saiddie shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidv able in said die shoe, a punch in each holder,-

the full resistance of the hydro-pneumatic cushion, the resistance pressure now being very much increased; The continued downward movement will now force the slide" holder 38 downward against the full pressure on the pressure pins 36 and cause the punch holders 92 to ride on the cam blocks and '72 to force the punchholders inwardly and cause the punches 124 to punch The hub After the bolt flange 188 has been rivet holes 222 in the shell 116 and bolt flange 188; In punching the holes the metal from the hub shell will be'crowded or pushed into the bolt flange at'the abutting edges of the openings rigidly to hold both together. The punched metal will be received in the wear member 180, pushed through the bore of the wear'member, and fallfrom the recess 186 to the center of the machine and down through the passage 134into the conical portion 54 and tothe base of the" machine. If for any'reason the punched-out pieces of metal should fall on top of the bearing ring 138, they will be directed'by' the inclined surfaces 142 into the'passage 144, 146 and fall to the base of the machine When the punches'have performed their workthe top die 24 will rise which will allow-the pins 36 to push upward and 'force the slide-holder 38 upward and carry therewith the punch holders 92. The rollers 96 on the punch holders will now ride on the flanges '76 of the camblo'cks 70 and '72 to withdraw the punch holders rearwardlyor out of the punched holes 222. When the shank 200.015 the spreader cam leaves the backing members 1'72, the springs 130 and plungers' 132 will again force-the backing members 172 inwardly to the position shown in Figure 4. The fingers'2l4 have ridden'over the edge of'the flange 218 on the hub into suitable recessesor cut out portionsin the retainer ring 110 and the slide holder 38 and will be underneath the flange and pull the assembled hub and bolt flange upwardly therewith to the position shown in Figure 4. The operator may now remove the punched hub shell and bolt flange from the machine and insert a new one inthe'lower die shoe:

to rec'ommence the operation.

We claim:" V

1. In a machine of theclass described, a-idie shoe adapted to receive a wirewheel hub'shell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punches adapted to punch rivet openings in'said shell and bolt flange, a plurality of pivoted backing members swingable to contact with the interior oi the bolt flange opposite the punches and to receive the punched-out material, thedownward movement ofsaid top shoe causing the backing 'members'to swing on their pivots to-spread inside-the wheel hub shell and the punches to move to punch out the rivet holes.

2. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe adapted'toreceivea wire wheel hubshell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocablerelative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said die shoe, a punch in each holder.

pivoted means swingable to back the interior of the hub' shell and flangewhen the punches are acting, means operating upon downward'move-- ment of the top shoe to cause the punch holders to slide toward-the shell, and means operative;

on said downward movement to cause said backingmeans to swing on their pivotsto contact the interior of the hub shell, said last two meansoperating in timed relation.

Ina machine of'the class described, a die" sho'e adapted to receive awire wheel hub shell andbolt flange, a top sh'oehreciprocable relative means to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when the punches are acting, means operating upon downward movement of the top'shoe to cause the punch slides-to slide toward the shell, rri'eansoperative on said downward movement to cause said backing means to back the interior of" .the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means on the top shoe to pick up and pull the, punched hub shell and flange from the die shoe when the top shoe is raised punch holders to slide toward the shell, means .operative on said downward movement to cause said backing means to swing on their pivots to contact the interior of the hub' shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means to force the first-named means away from the shell when the top die is raised. g

5. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, a. top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said dieshoe, a punch in eachholder, means to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when the punches are acting, stationary means 1 operating upon downward movement of the top shoe to cause the punchslides to slidetoward the shell, means operating on said 'downward-moverivet holes. 7

ment to cause said backing means to contact the interior of the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means'on the top shoe to force the flange into the shell before the operation oi the punches. v i

6. In a machine of, the class describeda die shoe adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, .a top'shoe reciprocable relative to said "die shoe, a slide holder reciprocable in said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said slide holder, a punch ineach punch holder, means to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when'the punches are acting, means operating upon downward movement of thejtopshoe and said slideholder to cause the punch holders to move toward the shell,,and means operative on said downward movement to cause said backing meansto back, the interior of the hub shelLsaid last two means operating in timed relation.

'7. In a machine of the class described, adie shoe adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and its bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a slide holder, resiliently reciprocably mounted in said die shoe,a plurality of punch holders slidable to and from said shell in said slide holder, a punch in each punch holder,. cam means for said punch holders, a plurality of backing elements pivotally mounted on said slide holder, one backing element for each punch, a. spreader, cam on said top, die-adapted to spread the backing members against the inside of the shell and bolt flange opposite the punches, the

downward movement of said top die causing the spreader cam to act on the backing members, said Y downward movement also forcing the slide holder downward to cause the-cammeans to force the I punch holders and punches to act on the hub shell and bolt flange to punch rivet holes throughboth.

8. In a machine of the class described, a. die shoe adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and its'bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a slide holder resiliently reciprocably mounted in said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable to and from said shell in said slide holdena punch inv each punch holder,

7 downward movement to cause cam means for said punch slides, a plurality of backing elements pivotally mounted on said slide holder, one backing element for each punch, a

. spreader cam on said top die adapted to spread the backing members against the inside of the shell and bolt flange opposite the punches, the

' downward movement of said top die causing the spreader cam to act on the backing members, said downward movement also forcing the slide holder downward to cause the cam means to force the punchholders and punches to act on the hub shell and bolt flange to punch rivet holes through both, and means operative on withdrawal of the top die to force'the backing members inward and away from the wheel hub shell to allow the shell to be. withdrawn from the die shoe.

9. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, atop shoere'ciprocable relative to said. die shoe, a plurality of punches adapted to punch rivet openings in said shell and bolt flange, a plurality of backing members mounted on the die shoe and adapted to contact with the interior of the bolt flange opposite the punches and to receive the punched-out material, means on the top shoe and operative on the downward movement of said top shoe to cause the backing members to spread inside the wheel hub shell to back the punches, and means to cause the punches to move to punch out the i0. In a machineof the class described, a die shoe, a slide'holderslidable in said die shoe and adapted to receive a wire wheel hub, shell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said slide holder, av punch in each punch holder, means to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when the punches are acting, stationary means on the die shoe operating upon downward movement of the top shoe and the holder slide to cause the punch holders to slide toward the shell, and means operative on said said backing means to spread to contact the interior of .the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation.

11. In a machine of the class described, a'die shoe, a slide holder slidable in said die shoe and adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said slide holder, a punch in each punch holder, means on the slide holder to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when the punches are acting, means operating upon down- ,ward movement of the top shoe to cause the punch slides to slide toward the shell, means operative on said downward movement to cause said backing means to back the interior of the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means-on the top'die operating to *pick p and pull the-punched hub shell and flange from the slide holder when the top shoe is raised. i

12. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidable in said die shoe and adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable insaid slide holder, a punch in each punch holder, means on the slide holder to back the interior of the hub shell and flange when the punches are actingymeans on the die shoe operating upon downward movement of .thetop shoe to cause the punch holders to slide toward the shell, means on the top die operative on said downward movement to cause said backing means to contact the interior of the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means to force the first-named means away from the shell when the top die is raised.

13. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a slide holder slidably mounted in said die shoe and adapted to receive a wire wheel hub shell and bolt flange, a top shoe reciprocable relative to said die shoe, a plurality of punch holders slidable in said slide holder, apunch in each punch holder, means on the slide holders to back the interior of the hub shell and. flange when the punches are acting, means on the die shoe operative upon movement of the slide holder to cause the punch slides to slide toward the shell, means operative incident to the downward movement of the top die to cause said backing means to contact the interior of the hub shell, said last two means operating in timed relation, and means on the top shoe to force the flange into the shell before the operation of the punches.

14. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a circular slide holder slidably mounted in said die shoe, a plurality of backing members pivotally mounted in the slide holder at the interior thereof and concentrically therewith, a guiding element mounted in the slide holder to guide the backing members, spring pressed means relative to the die shoe, the movement of said top die causing the movement of said slide holder to cause the punches to punch openings in the wheel hub and bolt flange.

' 15. In a machine of the class described, a die shoe, a top shoe spaced from said die shoe and reciprocable relative thereto, means on said die shoe adapted to receive a wheel hub and bolt flange, a plurality of punches slidably mounted on the die shoe and adapted to be moved toward the hub to punch spoke openings, a plurality of backing members pivotally mounted in the die shoe and adapted to move on their pivots to back the hub and flange when the punches are operating, and means on the top die operative when the top shoe is moved toward the die shoe to cause the backing members to move to the wheel hub to back the punches.

HERMAN TORMYN. FRANK F. WIETHOFF. 

